Hydraulic power drilling rig



May f7, 1940. w. T. CALDWELL HYDRAULIC POWER DHILLING RIG N .LEZ

May 7'1940 w. T. CALDWELL 2,200,075

HYDRAULIC POWER DRILLING RIG Filed April 6, 1938 4\Sheets-Sheet '2INVENTOR i ATToh'Ey May 7 1940- w. T. CALDWELL 2.200.075

HYDRAULIC POWER DRILLING RIG Filed April e, 1938 4 sheets-sheets wwwATTORNEY May 7, 1940. w. T. CALDWELL HYDRAULIC POWER. DRILLING RIG FiledApril 6, 1958 A .ORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Wa/er 7. fa/awe/z.Patented May 7,y 1940 PATENT oFFIcE fameuse",

HYDRAULIC POWER DRILLING RIG walter T.- Caldwell, Ema, okla., assignerto The George E.

Failing Supply Company,

Enid,

kla., a corporation of Oklahoma A Application April s, 1938, serial No.200,389

12 Claims.

freezing in the hole due tothe packing of mud or sludge used in thedrilling operations, and another disadvantage is that it is difficult tocontrol the amount of pressure applied to the drill bit. When drillingthrough certain formations it is desirable toA apply pressure in excessof the pressure applied by the weight of the drill pipe and at othertimes it is desirable to relieve this weight for efficient operation.Also when the hole` reaches substantial depths the weight of the drillpipe is such as to interfere with rotation of the bit with the resultthat the drill pipe is often twisted apart. To overcome theseAdisadvantages various hydraulic powers have been used to seiective'lysustain or apply control pressure on the drill bit, however, themovement of the hydraulic powersare relatively short and it is customaryto provide a drive rod through which the drill pipe extends, the drillpipe being connectingly engaged with the drive rod by .means of chuckmechanisms carried on the rod. It is therefore necessary to stop thedrilling operations and to re'chuck the drill pipe numerous times tofeed the bit the length of each standof drill pipe that is connectedinto the string as the drilling proceeds. Thisretards the drilling andresults in greater cost in operation. V.

It is, therefore, the principal object of the present invention'toprovide a drilling unit of the rotary type with a hydraulic power deviceof longer length and. whichsis incorporated in and made a part of thetower or mast employed in the drilling rig so as to reduce the drillingtime and to avoid the necessity of a drive rod and chuckV for connectingthe drill pipe with the hydraulic mechanism. A f- It is alsoranimportant object of the present .45 invention to provide a drillingapparatus of this character which is particularly adapted for vport-,able' drilling outiits, such as used in core drilling, seismicsurveying of subterranean formations, and the like.

Itis a further objection of the invention to provide a hydraulic powerdevice and mast structura whereby the hydraulic mechanism may be readilymoved out of position to permit running in and removal of the drillpipe.

55 In accomplishing these and other objects of the (Cl. Z55-22)invention, as hereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved detailsof structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an end view of a portable drilling unit equipped with amast'and hydraulic power device embodying the features of the presentinvention, parts of the unit being show-n in section to betterillustrate the construction.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the swivel head y through whichhydraulic power is applied in controlling the pressure on the drill bit.

' Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the drilling unit, parts of whichare also shown in section.

Fig. 4I is a cross-section through the mast onl the line 4--4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a similar horizontal section on the line 5-5 of Fig.' 1.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the drilling unit.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on the line 1--1 of Fig. 3.

- Fig. 8 is a side elevational Viewv of the drilling unit showing themast moved to position for transportation.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:A

In carrying out the invention I have shown it as applied to a portabledrilling unit which in# cludes a wheeled support such as the chassis Iof a motor vehicle 2. Supported on the frame 3 of the chassis is aplatform 4 forming a base for supporting a. mast or'drilling tower 5.The mast 5 includes a pair of spaced standards or legs 6 and 'I havingsubstantially parallel lower end portions 8 and 9 and converging upperportions .I0 and I I terminating in forwardly extending ends I2 and I3carrying eyes I4 and I5 for journaling trunnions I6 and I1 of a crosshead I8, later described, the trunnions I6 and I'I being threaded andprovided with nuts I9 which cooperate with shoulders 20 on the head forspacingly retaining the upper ends of the standards so that when theyare in perpendicular position, as shownin Fig. 3, the axis of thetrunnions are in plane with the axis of a turntable 2l that is carriedon the platform 4, as later described.

Connected with the standards are truss-like legs 22 having upperportions 23 diverging from the upper end of the standards andterminating above the platform 4 in angularly extending portions 24 thatare connected with the parallel portions of the standards.- The `trussmembers 22 are interconnected at spaced points by girth. or tie bars 25to form a derrick-like structure. Connected with the standards 6 and Iand with the truss bars 22 are pairs of arms 28`and 21 terminating inears 28 and 29 that respectively engage the opposite sides of mountingbrackets 38 and 3| carried upon the platform 4. The ears 88 and 68 areplvotally 'connected with the brackets by a tie rod 32 having reducedthreaded ends 33 and 34 extending therethrough as best shown in Fig. 7,the projecting portions of the threaded 'ends 38 and 34 being providedwith nuts 35 which cooperate with the stop shoulder 38 on the tie rod toretain the parts in assembly.A The brackets 38 are located' on theplatform so that when the mast is in erect position. as shown in Fig. 3,the parallel lower ends 8 and 9 of the standards are in position tosubstantially engage the rear face 31 of the platform. When in thisposition the standards are' secured by straps 38 that are hinged to theplatform, as indicated, at 38, and which have seat portions 48 engagingover the standards and terminating in slotted ends 8| whereby the seatportions are clamped against the standards by swing bolts 42 so that themast is rigidly retained in erect position.

The foot portions of the standards are internally threaded to mount jackscrews 43 having base plates 44 that are moved into engagement l withmud sills or the like so that the mast and drilling equipment carriedthereby is partly supported uponl the ground independently of thechassis. Y

In order to raise 'and lower the mast, I provide double acting hydrauliccylinders and 41 having ends pivoted to the platform as indicated at 48,Fig. 3, and operating rods 49 connected with brackets 58 projecting fromthe truss-like members of the mast, as shown in Fig. 3,. The hydrauliccylinders 45 and 41 are supplied with a pressure fluid to act on therespective sides of pistons carried by the rods 49 so as to move thederrick from carrying position as show n in Fig. 8, to the operativeposition as shown in Fig. 3 and back to carrying position.

'Ijhe cross head |8, previously mentioned, includes a substantiallyyoke-shaped bar 5|', having ring-like ends 52 and 53 carryingthetrunnions I6 and I1 previously described for suspendingly supporting ahydraulic'mechanism as now to be described.

The hydraulic mechanism includes a-pair of tubular cylinders 54 and 55having their ends projecting through the ring-like ends of the crosshead and are rigidly retained therein by cylinder heads 56 and 51. Theheads 56 and 51 are in the form of internally threaded caps mounted onthe projecting ends of the cylinders and engaging the cross head to drawshouldered portions 58 and 59 of the cylinders into rigid engagementwith the opposite side of the cross head, yas clearly shown in Fig. 1.'I'he lower ends of the cylinders depend from the cross head when themast is in erect position and terminate subY stanuauy half-way theheight of the mast in ends 68 and 6| that are sleeved' within theringshaped ends 62 and 63 of a yoke-shaped cross bar 64, as best shownin Fig. 4. 'I'he ends of the cylinders project through the ring-shapedendsof the bar 64 and are externally threaded to mount couplings 65 and66 that are threaded into engagement with the cross bar to retain vthecross bar in engagement with shoulders 61 and 68 on the cylinder.

Dependin'gly connected with the couplings '85 and 66 are tubular guides69 and 18 having longitudinal facing slots 1| and 12 for passing theterminal endsof a guide yoke 13, later described. The lower ends of thetubular guides terminate slightly above the platform when the mast is inerect position and are connected by a tie member I4 similar to the crossbar. 64.v 'I'he ends of the tubular guides are closed, as at and 16, andare provided with centering sockets 11 and 18 for engaging bosses 19 and80 on adjusting screws 8| and 82. 'I'he adjusting screws 8| and 82 arethreaded in openings 83 and 84 of the framework 85 of the turntable,previously mentioned, so that when the mast is in erectedlposition andthe hydraulic cylinders are located in alignment with the turntable, theadjusting screws 8| and 82 may be manipulated t0 engage the bossesthereon in the sockets of the tubular guides whereby the tubular guidesand cylinders are retained in'perpendicular position as shown in Figs.l'and 3.

j Slldably mounted within the cylinders are pis tons 86 and 81connectedwith rods 88 and 89 that are slidable through stuffing boxes 98and 9| carried in heads 92 and 98 closing the lower ends of thecylinders, the .rods 88 and 89 being of suilicient length to allow forfull movement of the pistons within 'the cylinders and to connect withthe guide y oke 18. The guide yoke 13 is best illustrated in Fig. 5 andincludes a bar 94 having cylindrical ends 95 and 96 provided with Formedin the intermediate portion ofthe bar is a semicylindrical oilset |88,having a semicylindrical seat |8| for accommodating a cylindrical neck|82 on a swivel head |83, later described. Plvotally supported on thebar by a hinged pin |84 is a gate |85 which is providedA with an arcuateseat |86 cooperating with the seat in the bar toh encircle the neck ofthe swivel head.- 'I'he gate |85 is retainedvin closed position by meansof a pin |81 extending through an ear |88 and through aligning, ears |89on-the gate. The connecting bar vand gate thus form a connection for theswivel' head whereby the power of the hydraulic cylinders is applied tothe drill pipe, as later-described. A

In order to actuate the pistons 86 and 81 hydraulically in eitherdirection, the heads'at the respective ends of the cylinders areprovided with ports ||8 and"||| in which are threaded fittings II2 andIIS asbest shown in 1, the upper fittings |.|2 being connected by aexible hose ||4 with a control valve ||5 while the lower nttings 3 arevconnected byv a similar hose H6 with another voutlet of the controlvalve. The control valve also includes connections |I1 and ||8 with theintake and discharge connectionsl Y of ahydraulic pump ||9 wherebypressure iiuid may be selectively discharged on one orthe othersides ofthe pistons and drawn from the opposite sides depending uponthe settingof the control valve. For example, when the pressure iiuid is admittedthrough the upper connections, pressureof the hydraulic iluid is appliedto the pisports the pistons are moved upwardly to relieve pressureacting on the Adrill bit, as later described. '.llfhev turntable 2|,previously mentioned, may

be of ordinary construction and includes a beveled gear |20, having aring-like hub 2| that is journaled in suitable bearings |22 in thesupporting frame of the turntable. Formed in the ring-like hub is ashouldered socket for mounting a slip carrier |23 having slips |24 forengaging the drive faces |25 of aKelly rod |26 or the drive,

slips may be removed land other slips inserted for supporting the drillpipe incidental to running in or removal thereof as in customarypractice. The gear |23 is rotated from a suitable prime mover (notshown), located on the truck, the prime mover being connected through apower shaft |21 having a beveled pinion |28 meshing with the teeth ofthe ring gear. 'Ihe swivel head |03 includes a body |29 having a reducedportion provided with an annular groove |3| forming the neck |02l andannular shoulders |32 and |33 for engaging the respective upper andlower sides of the guide yoke 13.

Rotatably mounted within astufilng box |34 of the swivel head is atubular nipple |35 having a anged collar |36 supported within the swivelhead by antifriction bearings |31 respectively engaging ashoulder |38and a packing nut |39 that is threadedly supported in the bore of thehead. Also received within the socket and engaging the nut |39 is apacking |40 that is compressed about the nipple by a packing lgland |4|.The packing gland |4| is of substantially standard construction and hasa connection |42 for connecting a' flexible hose |43 with a sludge pump*drill pipe for discharge through the drill bit into the bore-hole. Thelower end of the nipple is internally threaded, as at |44 to connect the-pin of the Kelly rod |25. The Kelly rod |25 has its lower end providedwith a suitable coupling for connecting the upper section of the drillpipe, as indicated at |45 in Fig. 1. 'The swivel head is providedwith'the usual bail |45 for connection with atackle mechanism, asindicated at |41, including a cable l|48 operating over a pulley |43that is carried bythe cross head I8, the opposite end of the cable beingwound upon a suitable winding drum (not shown) thatis carried on thetruck. j

'When it becomes necessaryto add sections of drill pipe or to withdrawor run in the drilling string, it is desirable to move the hydrauliccylinders away from the turntable. This is effected by disengaging theadjusting screws 8| and 82 with the lower ends of the guides, whereuponthe cylinders and tubular guides are free to b'e swung retractively asshown in dotted lines, Fig. 3. To facilitate movement of the cylindersand retain them in retracted position,v the platform carries a doubleacting hydraulic cylinder |50, having a piston rod |5| that is connectedwith the lower cross bar 14 by means of a link |52, as best shown inFig. 3. Pressure fluid is selectively admitted to the respective end sof the cylinder by wayof a control valve |53 which is suitably connectedwith a source of fluid pressure.

In using a drilling rig constructed and assembled as described, it ismoved to location with the mast in position as shown in Fig. 8. Uponarrival at the drilling location the mast is moved to an erect positionby means of the hydraulic cylinders 48 ,and 41, as shown in Fig.`3. Thestraps are swung` about the standards `ofthe mast and secured by theswing bolts. -The jack screws' 43 are then vadjusted so that: the footportions 44 thereof firmly engage a mud sill or the slips in theturntable.

the like topartially support the load independently of the truckchassis. The screws 8| and 82 are threaded so that the bosses 19 and 80engage in the centering sockets 11 and 18 of the tubular guides 69 and10; The Kelly rod is connected with a drill bit. The guide yoke 13 ismoved to its uppermost position by adjusting the valve ||5` so that thepressure iiuid is delivered to the lower ends of the cylinders 54 and55. In this position of the Valve the liquid above the pistons isdisplaced through the upper ports. The Kelly rod is connected with thedrill bit and lowered through the turntable to a position where the neck|02 on the swivel head engages within theI seat of the guide yoke 13..The gate of the guide yoke is then closed about the neck and the pininserted to retain the swivel head in connection with the yoke. Drivingslips are then inserted in position within the turntable and therotating mechanism started toefl'ect rotation of the drill bit. Ifdesired hydraulic pressuremay be imparted to the drill bit by adjustingthe control valve ||5 so that the pressure is .admitted to the upperends of the hydraulic cylinders to apply downward pressure on the Kellyrod through the yoke-shaped guide 13.

As the drilling proceeds, the yoke-shaped guide reaches the bottom ofthe tubular guides whereupon the drilling string is raised by the tacklemechanism and a stand of drill rods is connected in the string. Duringthis operation the screws 8| and 82 are backed off to release the lowerends of the cylinders, whereupon the hydraulic cylinder |50 is actuatedto retract the hydraulic powerunit away from the well hole to eiect therespective connections in the drilling string. The drilling string islowered into the bore hole so that the swivel head is in position toengage with the guide b ar 13. The hydraulic cylinder |50 is againactuated to return the hydraulic cylinders of the power unit tooperative position, after which the screws 8| and 82 are again adjustedtothe positionas shown in Fig. 2. The yoke is then adjusted relativelyto the neck of the swivel head so that it seats within the yoke and thegate is closed to retain the head. In this position the yoke is at theupper end of its stroke and the lower end of the Kelly rod is engagedwith The rotating mechanism is again started to rotate the Kelly rodduring which rotation the swivel head rotates withgresses and it, isnecessary to partially supportv the weight of the drill pipe, this maybe eiected by applying the uid pressure under the pistons of thehydraulic cylinders. When the drill bit is operating in loose formationsit may be desirable to admit the pressure fluid to the lower ends of thecylinders so as .to regulate downward movement of the Kelly rod. WhenArunning the casing the hydraulic unit may be swung retractively out ofthe way of the borehole so that the casing may be run into the hole, asin standard practice.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a drillingrigequipped 'with a hydraulic power device wherein the 'entire eiectivelength of a Kelly rodl may be utilized without making it necessary tochange the connection between the hydraulic unit and the swivel head.

Attention is also directed to the fact that when thei hydrauliccylinders and tubular kguides are ed to move in an arc to and fromdrilling position, hydraulic means on the platform for moving thehydraulic device to and from operative relation with the turntable, andmeans connecting the hydraulic means with the hydraulic device, saidconnecting means including means for compensating for said arcuatemovement of the hydraulic device.

2. In a device of the character described, a

platformfa mast carried by the platform, a turntable carried by theplatform, a pair of hydraulic cylinders pivotally suspended from themast, a pulley carried by the mast intermediate said cylinders, a tackleoperating over the pulley to support a drilling string rotated by saidturntable, pistons in the cylinders, guides connected with and dependingfrom the lower ends of the cylinders, a cross head slidably connectingthe guides, piston rods connecting the` pistons with the cross head,means connecting the cross head with the drilling string, means formoving the cylinders to carry the guides away from operative relationwith the turntable, and means on the platform centeringly engaging thelower ends of the guides whereby the cylinders and guides c0- operatewith the mast in supporting the load of the drilling string when theguides are in operada tive relation with the turntable.

3. In a drilling apparatus, a rotarytable, a Kelly rod rotated thereby,positive feeding mechanism for the Kelly rod including power devicesdisposed at opposite sides of the rotary table and between which theKelly rod extends, said feeding devices including hydraulic cylinders,guides depending from the lower ends of the cylinders, means pivotallyanchoring the upper ends of the cylinders whereby the guides areswingingly movable away from the sides of the rotary table, and jackscrews selectively anchoring the lower ends of the'guides for fixedsupport relatively to the rotary table.

4. In adrilling apparatus, a supporting platform, spaced standards onthe supporting platform, a cross head connecting the standards, a rotarytable, a Kelly rod rotated thereby, positive feeding mechanism for theKelly rod including power devices carried by the cross head and disposedat opposite sides of the rotary table, -said feeding devices includinghydraulic cylinders, means pivotally supporting said cylinders from thecross head, guides depending from the lower ends of the cylinders, aKelly rod engaging member slidable in the guides, pistons in thecylinders, rods connecting the pistons with the Kelly rod engagingmember, and means for anchoring the lower ends of the guides to thesupporting platform.

, 5.,In a .drilling apparatus, spaced standards,

K a cross head trunnioned on the standards, a pair of cylindersconnected with the cross head, a

' pulley connected with th cross head intermediate with the cylinders,Ameans for selectively anchoring the lower ends`of the guides, pistons insaid' cylinders, piston rods connected with the pistons and operablewithin the tubular guides,'a Kelly rodl engaging member connecting thepiston rods and having portions slidably engaging' said guides, means onsaid Kelly rod engaging member for connecting the Kelly rod, and meansfor eiecting trunnioning movement of the `lcross head to carry saidKelly rod engaging member away from a position in alignment with thepulley and the rotating means.

6. In-a drilling apparatus, a platform, spaced standards pivotallysupported on the platform for movement from erect to substantiallyhorizontal positions, a cross head, means trunnioningly supporting-thecross head at the upper ends of the standards, a rotary table carried onthe platform, I

a Kelly rod rotated thereby, a powder augmeiiting mechanism carried bythe cross head and hav-- ing removable connection with the Kelly rod,and meanson the platform for moving said power augmenting mechanismincidental to said trunnion mounting of the cross head.

'7. In a drilling apparatus, a platform, spaced standards pivotallysupported on the platform for movement from erect to substantiallyhorizontal positions, a cross head, means trunnionyingly supporting thecross head at the upper ends of the standards, a rotary table carried onthe platform, a Kelly rod rotated thereby, a power augmenting mechanismcarried by the cross head and having removable connection with the Kellyrod, means on the platform for moving said power augmenting mechanismincidental to said trunnion mounting of the cross head, and means on theplatform for. raising and lowering the standards to carry the poweraugmenting mechanism to an inclined position on the platform.

8. In a drilling apparatus, a platform, spaced standardsV pivotallysupported on the platform for movement from erect to substantiallyhorizontal positions, a cross head, means trunnioningly supporting thecross head at the upper ends of the standards, a rotary table carried onthe platform, a Kelly rod rotated thereby, a power augmenting mechanismcarried by the crossY head and having removable-connection with ,theKelly rod, means on the platform for moving said power augmentingmechanism incidental to said trunnion mounting of the cross head, meanson the platform for raising and lowering the standards to carrythe/power augmenting mechanism to an. inclined position on the platform,and

means for latchingly retaining the standards in y erect position on theplatform.

9. In a drilling apparatus, a platform, spaced standards pivotallysupported on the platform for movement from erect to substantiallyhorizontal positions, a cross head, means trunnioningly supporting thecross head at the upper ends of the standards, a rotary table carried onthe platform, a Kelly rod rotated thereby, a power augmenting mechanismcarried by the cross head and having removable connection with the Kellyrod, means on the platform for moving sai'd poweraugmenting mechanismincidental to said trunnion mounting of the cross head, means on theplatform for raising and lowering the standards to carry the poweraugmenting mechanism to an inclined position on the platform, and meansfor latchingly retaining the standards in erect position on theplatform.

10. A drilling apparatus including a supporting Platform, a mast carriedby the platform, a rotary mechanism vcarried by the platform forrotating the Kelly rod of a drilling string, feeding mechanism forengaging the Kelly rod including hydraulic power cylinders disposed atopposite sides ofthe rotary mechanism,. means pivotally connecting theupper ends of the cylin- 'ders with said mast, guides connected withthelower ends of the cylinders and having lower ends terminating near thesupporting platform, and jack4 screws connecting said lower ends of theguides with the platform whereby the cylinders are retained fromswinging movement in the mast and the cylinders including the guidescooperate with the mast in supporting the load,

ing the pistons with the drilling string for raising and'lowering thedrilling string responsive to movement of the pistons in the cylinders,and anchor means engaging the lower ends of the cylinders to'anchor thecylinders on the plat- 12. In a rotary drilling unit, a platform, a maston the platform including a pair of laterally spaced cylinders and legshaving connection with the cylinders and platform to cooperate with thecylinders in suspendingly supporting a. drilling string, pistons in thecylinders, means connecting the pistons with the drilling string forraising and lowering the drilling string responsive to movement of thepistons in the cylinders, anchor means engaging the lower ends of thecylinders to anchor the cylinders on the platform, supports on theplatform, and means hngedly connecting said legs with the supports.whereby said legs and cylinders are adapted to bemoved 20 to atransport position on the platform.

WALTER T. CALDWELL.

